Metal Detecting Forum

Was just wondering how many of you guys with higher-end machines have actually hunted with someone using a modern day entry-level detector and noticed how good they have become anymore? Late last fall I finally hunted with a friend who has such a machine (The White's Coinmaster) and even though that day I was hunting with a machine costing about 4 times more not including the coil, I was truly impressed with the performance of the $180 entry-level Coinmaster. I have no doubt that other entry level detectors are just as good, if not better. Anyhow I was so impressed with the Coinmaster that when my buddy decided to upgrade???, I jumped at the chance to buy his mint condition (still has original batteries) Coinmaster.

It used to be that entry level machines were pretty much toys. When Garrett released thier Ace150 it was a whole new world. For the first time ever you could buy a good quality machine at an entry level price. Garrett was so successful that White's and Tesoro were forced to follow suit or lose the entire "beginner" market.

Entry level machines have gotten a lot better. I had an ACE-250 for a couple of years and loved it. But top end machines have gotten a lot better also so theres still a wide gap. You can't get top end performance at entry level prices. But I wished you could.

No, you can't get top-end performance with an entry level detector. But when figuring in 5 times the cost of an entry level detector, you are going to be lucky if you will gain much over 1 1/2 times in performance using a higher-end detector. That in itself is a real bargain for those who don't want or are unable to afford a top-end machine. At least it levels the playing field a little.

The time to get in on this sport was back in the 70's for the silver, Now, sweeping fresh drops and targets 5" on up can be a profitable and very fun excursion. There will always be a market for the high end product, But I bet the future will reside in the 400.00 price point neighborhood.
Mud

Detecting is the study of Humans interaction with topography, the untrustworthyness of pockets, and metals desire to return to the earth from whence it came.

Its a surprising little detector and it is considered a entry level detector.
I never bought it for my main detector, I got it for a back up and or one for the grand kids to use (not happened yet)
If I was going Tot-lot hunting, I would use this detector over the others I have.

Part of the reason is that cheaper machines give you less information, less excuses not to dig. So you dig more targets. When you dig more targets, you dig more trash, but all also dig more of the good stuff.

High end detectors give you a lot of information that may or may not be accurate. They coax you into cherry picking more. Thats not always the best idea.

QuoteSmudge
Part of the reason is that cheaper machines give you less information, less excuses not to dig. So you dig more targets. When you dig more targets, you dig more trash, but all also dig more of the good stuff.

High end detectors give you a lot of information that may or may not be accurate. They coax you into cherry picking more. Thats not always the best idea.

They also give you more depth. Some may argue that for that extra $1000 you only get 1 extra inch (just random depth number), but if a park has been worked clean with older technology and you can come in and see one more inch down, then you have a huge amount of targets nobody else has touched.

It doesn't mean lower priced detectors are "junk" or "toys", it just means they can't do as much.

Jason is correct. There are certain areas that a entry level machine will simply not have the capability to find anything more than shallow. Here in Idaho, one needs at least a medium grade detector to get more than 4" deep. Actually, E-Trac's are the preferred units here. Although I do pretty good with my Omega and its DD coils.